Latitude, Mackay

The challenge for this development was to rescue a partially complete building in the Mackay CBD and redefine the brief to suit a changing market. The project program was diversified with the inclusion of commercial spaces at the lower levels and residential units (short and long term accommodation) to the upper floors. Large double storey penthouses with private recreational spaces are provided to the roof level also.

The building was presented with two street frontages therefore it was important to activate these public edges. The design intent was to re-invigorate the public edges of the building by encouraging outlooks both into and out of the building. Oversized circular openings to many levels, undulating awning roofs to the ground floor and fully glazed retail shopfronts achieve this. These elements are then taken internally to merge the inside to outside space.

With the changing uses as you move up the building, elements become more specific to their use in terms of balustrading, glazing and sunshading. The top of the building is capped with roof planes that cantilever over the floors below and are punctuated by further circular openings both vertically and horizontally.